For Those Who Served + Rocked We Salute You: 21 Musicians Who Were In The Military

You would think that the rigorous discipline of the military life and the unrestrained freedom of the music world would be at odds, but as it turns out, a number of rockers, rappers and musicians of all kinds have signed up and done their duty in defense of their countries. Some, like crooner Tony Bennett and former-Nirvana and Soundgarden member Jason Everman, have been on the frontlines of armed combat at its worst, while others like MC Hammer and Elvis Presley have served during times of relative peace. And, of course, given their natural inclination to indulge their creative impulses, guitar greats like Jimi Hendrix and Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead were never really cut out for Army life in the first life and were discharged before finishing their tours of duty. But on this Veteran’s Day, it’s important to acknowledge their contributions and those of all people who serve or have served in keeping their countries safe and protecting these freedoms which we hold so dear.

1 Elvis Presley

At the height of his fame The King of Rock N’ Roll enlisted in the U.S. Army, eventually achieving the rank of Sergeant before being honorably discharged.
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2 Jason Everman (right)

This Seattle native played in both Nirvana and Soundgarden before enlisting in the Special Forces where he served with distinction in Afghanistan and Iraq.
[Photo Credit: Ian Tilton/New York Times]

3 MC Hammer

The Bay Area rapper served three years in the U.S. Navy as a Petty Officer Third Class Aviation Store Keeper before achieving fame.
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4 Tony Bennett

One of the great vocalists of all-time, Bennett was drafted into the Army in 1944 and saw hard combat during the final days of World War II.
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5 Maynard James Keenan

Tool’s enigmatic lead singer enlisted in the U.S. Army and studied at the United States Military Academy Preparatory School but turned down an appointment to West Point to pursue his interests in art and music.
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6 Johnny Cash

The “Man In Black” earned the rank of Sergeant when he served in the U.S. Air Force intercepting codes in Germany at the outset of The Cold War.
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7 Jimi Hendrix

The 1960s guitar great enlisted in the Airborne Rangers. Although he passed boot camp, he was considered a poor soldier and was given an Honorable Discharge before seeing combat.
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8 Shaggy

Though born in Jamaica, Mr. “Boombastic” enlisted in the U.S. military after moving to Brooklyn as a teen and served with the 5th Battalion 10th Marines during the Gulf War.
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9 Mystikal

The controversial New Orleans rapper joined the Army after high school and served in Operation: Desert Storm.
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10 James Blunt

The English singer-songwriter was a Captain in the British Army in Kosovo before finding fame with his guitar.
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11 Gene Autry

The singing cowboy was a Flight Officer in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
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12 John Coltrane

The groundbreaking jazz saxophonist was a Seaman First Class in the U.S. Navy.
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13 Kris Kristofferson

The famed singer-songwriter was a Captain in the U.S. Army and was even offered a teaching position at West Point but instead pursued his dream of music.
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14 Billy Cox, Band Of Gypsys

Bassist Cox first met friend and future bandmate Jimi Hendrix when they were stationed together in Fort Campbell, Kentucky in the U.S. Army.
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15 B.B. King

The king of blues guitar served in the U.S. Army during World War II but mostly drove a tractor at a plantation that was growing cotton for the military.
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16 John Fogerty

The Creedence Clearwater Revival bandleader served in the Army Reserves at the height of the Vietnam War, but as a reservist, would never see combat.
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17 Howlin’ Wolf

The blues great enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II but was discharged before being sent overseas.
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18 Ice-T

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Immediately after graduating high school, the actor/rapper enlisted in the army, where he dedicated four years of service.

19 Jerry Garcia

After stealing his mother’s car, the future Grateful Dead guitarist enlisted in the Army, but wasn’t cut out for the military life and eventually received a general discharge.
[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

20 Ray Manzarek

” alt=”Ray Manzarek The Doors keyboardist enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Thailand but was discharged after a little over a year. [Photo Credit: Getty Images]”]The Doors keyboardist enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Thailand but was discharged after a little over a year.
[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

21 Fred Durst

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The Limp Bizkit front man signed on with the Navy, spending a couple of years in military service before returning to his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida.
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